If you’re planning a visit to Maui, the island has more than enough choices for dining. The economy traveler has the option of sticking with the grocery store for sandwiches and chips. If you’re not worried about price, then you can choose from many different fine dining places like Spago at the Four Seasons, Gerard’s in Lahaina, or the new Mala Wailea at the Wailea Beach Marriot. But if you’re looking for something with amazing scenery, decent food, and great prices, then you might want to consider dusting off your putter and heading for the golf course.
Actually, you don’t even have to golf to eat at a course’s restaurant. Most course restaurants are open to the public, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy a great meal while taking advantage of natural beauty that golfers pay a pretty penny to enjoy. For some reason, though, this option isn’t on most visitors’ radars. And that makes it even more of a reason to consider it. But why are golf course restaurants so inexpensive? My guess is that the management of most of the courses use it as a bonus treat for the golfers. You have to figure that a golfer pays a couple hundred dollars or more for one round of golf, so giving them a break on food is no big deal. But not all golf restaurants are on the cheap side, so below I’ve compiled a list of restaurants that have the perfect combination of awesome scenic beauty, good food, and unbeatable prices. And keep in mind that the recommendations are for lunch only (many golf restaurants aren’t open for dinner service).
Kahili Restaurant at Kahili Golf Course, Central Maui: This is at the top of the list for good reason. It is located on the lower bluffs of the West Maui Mountains overlooking Maui’s central isthmus, giving it amazing bi-coastal views and an awesome look at the Haleakala Volcano straight ahead. The main seating area is a balcony overlooking the golf course. The menu consists of nicely priced burgers, sandwiches, and salads. When you’re eating there, you get the feeling you’re dining at a 5-star location with 2-star prices. Overall, this is my #1 choice.
Clubhouse Restaurant at Makena Golf Courses, South Maui: This location would be #1 if it weren’t for Kahili’s bi-coastal views. But it isn’t far behind in scenery. It’s located at the 10th hole of Makena’s South Course, and its terrace looks straight towards the Makena lava cone and the Pacific Ocean. It’s hard to describe how beautiful the surrounding are. And the food is pretty good as well. I had a big juicy burger for lunch. But they have a pretty extensive menu of sandwiches, meats, and local plate lunches. If you’re in South Maui around lunchtime, this is a must-stop.
Honolua Store at Kapalua Bay Course, Northwest Maui: This isn’t a restaurant as much as an old-school convenience store. But there is a lunch counter towards the back where many locals grab a nice, big plate lunch. There’s also a grocery section with other food options. The food is great, but the payoff is being surrounded by Kapalua’s Cook Pines, which makes you feel like you’re in a tiny village in the Rockies. But the downside is that you lose the service that comes with a restaurant. There are tables on the store’s wrap-around balcony for seating, though. And for those who are passing by Kapalua with rumbling stomachs, this is a good place to stop for an inexpensive on-the-go meal as well.
Mulligan’s on the Blue at Wailea Blue Course, South Maui: This is one of the few course restaurants that is open for lunch and dinner. It’s a great Irish Pub nestled on Wailea’s very first golf course, the “Old Blue”. The food is a little more expensive, especially if you’re eating dinner there. But it’s still well within the reasonable range. If you are planning a dinner at Mulligan’s, the sunsets are great. And there’s usually a live band belting out great Irish music. You’re surrounded by lots of woods, but not as much golf course since the restaurant actually faces the parking lot (a little bit of a negative in my opinion). But it’s still a fun place for good pub food with some fancier choices, a nice beer selection, and great live music at night.
Kaanapali Restaurant at Kaanapali Golf Courses, West Maui: If resort golf courses are your thing, you’ll love the restaurant at the Kaanapali Golf Courses. The location overlooks a well-grooomed golf course with fairways, fountains, bunkers, and blue skys. If you’re looking for natural beauty, this isn’t the place. There are lots of high-rise resorts lining Kaanapali Beach in the distance, so you’re right in the thick of the bustling tourist action. But some people actually prefer that to the rustic natural settings. And the food is not bad for the price.
Pineapple Grill at Kapalua Bay Course, Northwest Maui: While the Pineapple Grill is about 3 minutes away from the Honolua Store, it’s a world away as far as scenery goes. You’re overlooking the Kapalua Bay golf course, and you’re completely surrounded by a near forest of Cook Pines with million-dollar homes scattered above on the gentle bluffs. You’ll find the menu to be on the more expensive side when compared to other places on this list, but if you’re willing to pay a bit more for amazing scenery, the Pineapple Grill is worth it.
If you’re looking for a different kind of dining experience, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with any of these places. All of them offer something rare in Hawaii… inexpensive food with some of the best views on Maui.
February in Maui is a nice time and place to be. For one, the whales are kicking offshore. They’re everywhere. When I look out towards the ocean I don’t see ocean anymore. All I see is an immense playground, where whales are jumping, splashing, slapping their tales, and having a blast. You don’t even have to try and see them now. Just glance out towards the beach and you’ll spot them. It’s amazing, and I’m really glad to have the privilege of witnessing it every day.
On Sunday my family and I went to Maluaka Beach Park with a pizza and watched the whales playing offshore. At first I was freaking out because we saw nothing. But as the sun sank closer to the horizon, they came out for one last round of the day. I can’t tell you how many whales we saw. But we were still waiting for one of them to launch straight up into the air and come down with a powerful splash. Suddenly it happened, and my wife and I shook our heads in amazement. My daughter wasn’t so blown away. She was preoccupied with the pizza crust she was polishing off.
Another point of excitement is, surprisingly, the presidential election. Suddenly Hawaii has an important say in who the Democratic nominee will be, now that the race Between Obama and Clinton is so close. Normally candidates aren’t too worried about Hawaii’s delegates. But not this year, when every delegate counts. Here’s a hint to the native Hawaiian population - this would be a great time to make sure that both Democratic nominees commit to passing the Akaka bill if elected.
Want some more big news? OK… I got a bike. How’s that? It’s practically brand new, and I got it for a steal off of craigslist. This guy was selling it after shipping it over here (along with everything else he owned) from San Diego. Poor sucker. He didn’t know the golden rule of moving to an island… DON’T BRING ANYTHING! Well, a car is OK, but nothing else! So he ended up selling most of his stuff because he didn’t have any room for all of it. And that resulted in me taking advantage of another person’s relocation ignorance and getting his bike for practically nothin’. And the best part? I actually use it!
Well, that just about sums it up for now. A hui ho, baby.
I’ve been urgently resisting the temptation to write about the world of American politics. It’s a real interest of mine, so you could equate this current election cycle with a Superbowl-type event (I’m pretty sure that makes me a full-blown geek, but that’s allright). Superbowl Sunday’s pretty cool. But Super-Tuesday… that’s heavy. Since politics has little to do with life on Maui, I haven’t found a connection to write about, except for the fact that Barack Obama is a native son of Hawai‘i. But I can’t hold it in anymore. So please indulge me as I spin the wax politiki…
When it comes to politics, I’m more of an observer. It’s the same approach I take to life in general. And what better place to observe from than an island? So it was with this perspective that I sat down and watched the Democratic debate last night. And while the two candidates were sitting there politely discussing the real issues for a change, it hit me; for the first time in history, a major US party will have either an African American or a Female American as their party’s nominee. This is truly an historic moment in America, and not because either is just the nominee. What makes this “history in the making” is that both have a great chance of winning the Presidency. Whatever floats your boat politically, you have to admit that it’s exciting to witness a groundbreaking event like this.
The tone of the debate was really cordial, which turned off a lot of pundits who were hoping for a bloody brawl. Most CNN observers said both Clinton’s and Obama’s performances were unexciting and safe. I disagree. The differences between the two candidates became very clear, on issues ranging from healthcare to the war. And more importantly, the differences between the Democratic and Republican sides are extremely clear. Several times the CNN panel pressed the two candidates on how they’d answer charges that are likely to come from the Republicans during the Presidential campaign. In each instance both put forth a compelling argument for voting Democratic this go around. Speaking strictly as an observer, if I were a staunch Republican supporter I’d be worried. The fact is that the Democratic party as a whole is extremely energized going into this election. But based on previous elections, one must ask whether or not they’ll be able to hang on to that momentum, or whether it will be squandered like so many other past opportunities.
The friendly tone was also in stark contrast to the bloodbath going on in the Republican race, and I’m convinced that this isn’t a happy accident. I think it was a calculated move to cast the Republicans in a less-than-flattering light. Who knows if it’ll work, but the strategy is shrewd nonetheless. It’s gotten so bad that Mitt Romney is now accusing John McCain of acting like Nixon (the Republican equivelant to a throwdown). It’s true… McCain is using techniques that border on the kind of underhanded techniques that good ol’ GW used against him during the 2000 election. And Romney’s no innocent either. He’s spent millions of his own fortune attempting to trash almost the entire Republican field, but with little results to show for his efforts. And let’s not forget Mike Huckabee, the charming and witty Baptist minister that pulled one of his attack ads against Romney before it hit the airwaves, then proceeded to show the ad to the media in a news conference in an attempt to illustrate how negative the campaign has gotten. Nice try, Mike.
But all of this peripheral noise doesn’t matter much now. McCain has the momentum, which is more valuable than a treasure chest of campaign cash at this point. And as for Democrats, they have to be pretty pleased with either Obama or Clinton as their nominee.
Phew. Thanks for allowing me to write about a subject that has nothing to do with Hawai‘i… and a subject that may very well bore some of you to death. I’d really like to hear your feedback, so don’t be bashful with the comments. Would you like to see more of this subject, or should I shut my mouth and stick to pretty pictures and amazingly beautiful scenery? Let me know…
The big news here on the island is that snow actually fell on Maui yesterday. A storm passed over the island, bringing the windchill on top of Haleakala to just 20 degrees. It was pretty strange seeing snow at the top of the volcano’s summit while driving home yesterday. And for at least one day, when people talked about ice on Maui, they weren’t talking about the island’s meth problem!
Haleakala weather is one thing many visitors tend to overlook. When I was there a few months ago, I can’t tell you how many people I saw getting out of their car wearing slippers, shorts, and t-shirts. On the summit of a 10,000 foot volcano, that ain’t gonna keep you warm! So if you ever plan on visiting Maui, remember that a trip to mighty Haleakala requires warm clothes no matter what time of year it is. Here’s a link to current Haleakala weather conditions (click here), as well as a live webcam of the crater (click here).
And here’s one last tip for those planning a visit to the Haleakala summit… finish the trip at the beach! The Haleakala crater is like a window to a different world. And there’s no better way to highlight the difference than to drive straight from the cold summit to Baby Beach at the far end of Baldwin Beach Park in Paia (click on the Google map above for a suggested route). That way you can enjoy two extreme climates in one day, and finish your journey with a relaxing swim.
For those who were interested in my ongoing failure as an aspiring surfer, I have an update. I tried the Dramamine experiment this past Friday. I took two pills before I went surfing with a friend from work. They didn’t work. I puked behind a rock, right in front of a family of 4. Sorry, kids. And on top of it… real surfers laughed at me in the distance. But on the bright side, I stood up on the board for about 2 seconds. Naturally I’m asking myself right now if those two seconds were worth the vomiting and public humiliation. Sadly, the answer is obvious… I don’t think I was meant to be a surfer. Three strikes and I’m out.
This realization isn’t all bad, though. It means that I’ll have more time to explore land-based adventures, like my discovery of Oneuli Beach… a near-deserted black sand stretch where you can enjoy a little solitude. Walk a little further down, and you literally have an entire beach to yourself. Take a look at my video podcast of Oneuli Beach. For those with a slower internet connection, it may take a minute or so before beginning.
A reader of this blog recently asked me if I had any insight about moving to Hawai‘i. Her inquiry got me thinking… I’ve been showing a pretty rosy side of island living on this website. I’ve talked about deserted beaches, tropical forests, angelic DMV employees, and my beautiful commute to work. Now that I think of it, though, I haven’t talked about the more gloomy side of living on Maui. But that ends right now, as I explore the dark side of paradise.
There isn’t any… just kidding.
Life here is definitely a compromise. At the end of the day you have to love living here so much, you’re willing to give up a lot of things you were used to on the mainland. And I’m not talking about the lack of fresh strawberries. I’m talking about saying goodbye to some of the comfort features of mainland life. I’m talking about living in a small apartment instead of a house. I’m talking about cutting back on eating out… or not eating out at all. I’m talking about having to get a second job to help pay the bills. I’m talking about not being able to afford a plane ride to see family. This is the unfortunate “luxury tax” that is placed on you as a resident… a price you must pay for living in an exceptional place. And to be happy here, you must be willing to pay that price. With the exception of those who are WOA (wealthy on arrival), this is a universal truth. People who live here work their arse off. No doubt. But strangely enough, I’ve never heard a resident complain about any of it either.
The past few weeks, Maui has experienced what can only be described as an invasion of visitors. Crowds of people are everywhere… at all the beaches, all the restaurants, all the shops. And with throngs of the tourists come the inevitable wave of rental cars clogging the unprepared roads. This phenomenon is something new to me. I’ve never lived in a place where rental cars outnumber local cars. In the last several weeks I’ve been cut off, pushed off, pulled off, and flipped off by people driving the cars on this list. So now it’s time for revenge…
That’s how I came up with the top 5 cars to avoid renting. Why did I pick these specific cars? For three main reasons. First, they’re the most popular cars to rent, which in turn make them easily identifiable targets for potential crimes like theft and vandalism… something that can really ruin a vacation.
Second, if you want to experience local island life during your stay on Maui, the last thing you want to do is look like every other visitor. You might feel special after booking that cherry red Mustang convertible for your stay. But when you get here and you’re surrounded by thousands of cherry red Mustangs just like yours, it loses its luster.
And lastly, I hate the kinds of people that drive these rental cars. They’re disproportionately more likely to be rude, inconsiderate, and very anti-aloha. When residents see swarms of these cars on the road, they have to try and control the urge to run them off the road. If I had a shiv, I’d be popping tires all over the island.
So, without further delay… here are the top 5 most despised rental cars on Maui…
Chrysler Sebring Convertible - by far, the most hated rental car on the island. People who rent these cars instantly lose their ability to drive.
Chrysler PT Cruiser (regular and convertible) - for tourists that want to see the sights without actually getting out of their car.
Ford Mustang Convertible - for balding, aggressive men who want to show how laid back they really are (but they’re not).
Chevrolet HHR - (see Chrysler PT Cruiser)
Dodge Calibur - used by those who try and walk the fine line between the PT Cruiser and Mustang.
ALTERNATIVES - check out these traditional car rental alternatives…
Bio Beetle - drive around in an eco-friendly VW beetle. You’ll stand out a bit, but residents will appreciate your environmental efforts.
Aloha Campers - drive, eat, and sleep in the same vehicle… a VW Westfalia van!
Maui Cruisers Car Rental - the best way to go, with used (but well-maintained) Toyotas and Nissans that have a ‘weathered’ look. Best for blending in with the locals! Tel. (808) 249-2319 or 1-877-749-7889
(For those that need to read the first part of this story, click here.)
Like a voodo child, I’d been banished from the distant and isolated town of Kahakuloa. As I drove back up to the elevated bluff overlooking the mysterious town, I looked back one more time. And I promised myself that, when my confidence on this island got to sustainable levels, I would return again to Kahakuloa to crack open the mysterious draw at the heart of this unique and guarded town.
But for the time being, my focus was redirected to the quantum blowhole. I’d heard from talks with coworkers that the blowhole was, without a doubt, worth my time to visit. Its features were the stuff of legend… crashing waves surround you… water launching hundred of feet into the air through an underwater lava tunnel. I was expecting big things.
The one problem, though, was that I had no idea where to find the blowhole. Like an experienced geo-whiz, I had decided to leave my guidebook at home, thinking that it would add too much weight to my backpack. I never even thought of the possibility of leaving the book in my car instead of lugging it around with me. So the book stayed at home, and I found myself without a clue. It would be one thing if Maui had big signs pointing to the island’s coolest natural gems. But here on the islands, they don’t make it easy. You gotta make the effort to find them. And that’s the way it should be.
One easy way to find popular destinations is to follow the rental cars. So I stopped everywhere I saw a collection of PT Cruisers and Mustang convertibles on the side of the road (the 2 most popular rental cars on the island), hoping that they would point me to the blowhole. My first stop was a dead end. It was a remote section of trails that meandered through green fields to the rocky coast. From a distance, the crashing waves looked like blowhole activity. But as I got closer, I realized that I was chasing after a rubber goose.
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I hiked back to my car and continued towards the famous golf resort town of Kapalua. I spotted another group of rental cars, and pulled over. After 10 minutes of hiking to the rocky cliffs, I found nothing. So I continued. There was one last place I wanted to look. I saw it driving to Kahakuloa earlier that day, and I was sure that it had to be the location of the elusive blowhole. It was a marked trail that lead over a bluff towars the ocean. If there was a maintained trail there, then chances were good that the famous blowhole would be at the end of it. I saw the trail sign from the road and pulled into the dirt parking area to the side of the road.
It wa the Ohai Trail. There weren’t many cars parked there, but I was convinced that it had to be the right place. If I continued looking further west, I would be getting too close to Kapalua, and civilization. I knew that the blowhole location was remote, and I was sure it had to be here. Either that or I somehow missed it.
I confidently started up the bluff, getting my camera ready for the long-awaited photo op. I reached the top of the bluff and found more trail… and more trail… and more trail… until I reached a bench looking out towards the ocean.
There was more trail to the right. I thought about taking a rest, but brushed it off. I pushed on until I reached the edge of the seacliffs, and found nothing. I was then faced with defeat on all fronts; no blowhole sightings, no photos, and a long, humiliating uphill hike back to my car. My wounds were open, and salt was being vigorously applied. I slinkered back from where I came; tired, hungry, and nugatory.
When I got back to my car, I sat down and pulled my Ziplock lunch out of my backpack. I found food that was in worse shape than I was in. My juicebox had mysteriously exploded all over my pbj and pretzels. My granola bars were spared, but they were Kashi brand. I might as well have been eating dirt. I forced the sandwich down and lapped up unabsorbed puddles of juice in the Ziplock bag.
Not even close to being satisfied with lunch, I dug out my car keys and slid the master into the ignition, ready to put this sorry excuse for an adventure behind me. I turned the key… and nothing. My eyes widened, thinking back to my dead battery earlier in the week. I tried again… and nothing. No sounds, no dashboard responses, no lights, nothing. I clawed through my backpack looking for my cell phone. I looked at how many bars I had… nothing. Not even a mini-bar. I panicked. I was stranded in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by unhelpful PT Cruisers and Mustangs, with no way of getting help. I started swearing, laughing, shaking my head all at the same time, realizing how hilarious the day had been. Then I got angry. I started banging on the steering wheel, and suddenly a strange grinding noise started coming from behind the wheel. I waited silently, studying the sound. It disappeared like a shot. I slammed the steering wheel again, looking for the same result. And it happened again… a long, grinding buzz coming from somewhere behind the steering wheel. Not knowing why, I turned the ignition. The car came to life. There was glorious radio static filling the air. There were b
On Sunday my family and I went to 
The past few weeks, Maui has experienced what can only be described as an invasion of visitors. Crowds of people are everywhere… at all the beaches, all the restaurants, all the shops. And with throngs of the tourists come the inevitable wave of rental cars clogging the unprepared roads. This phenomenon is something new to me. I’ve never lived in a place where rental cars outnumber local cars. In the last several weeks I’ve been cut off, pushed off, pulled off, and flipped off by people driving the cars on this list. So now it’s time for revenge…
That’s how I came up with the top 5 cars to avoid renting. Why did I pick these specific cars? For three main reasons. First, they’re the most popular cars to rent, which in turn make them easily identifiable targets for potential crimes like theft and vandalism… something that can really ruin a vacation.
